Dave painter

thank you for the replies and helping to solve the mystery of the trim tabs , yes this is the twin engine petrol version and seems to have one 80 gal fuel tank . the hot water system did heat from the engine I now realise and there is also an immersion tank 240v but that does not seem to be working so will test and repair. I have ordered a complete handle assembly for the toilet but am still unsure as to the valve positions but will take some pics once I have the pump handle assembly fitted this week . has anyone any clues as to what the first pic is ?it turns left and right and has pipes going into the back it looks like a valve of some kind but the pipes are hidden behind panelling so cannot as yet trace them. may thanks to those offering advice it is very helpful and reassuring , and thanks to the operators of the site for providing such an excellent reference point

Hello , may I ask for a little help and advice regarding my 1989 shadow 26 cruiser or even a suggestion as to where I can get some help , I have recently acquired the boat as a semi sort of live aboard and maybe an opportunity to bring together a slightly fragmented family , I cannot as yet afford the obvious choice of a traditional narrow boat but am content that what I have is in reasonable order and will be cost effective to maintain for now , I have experience of various narrow beam cruisers but some of the systems on this boat are confusing me , the jabsco toilet does not seem to flush I have followed the pipes to a couple of valves but cannot figure what position they should be in , there is also an orange electric square switch by the loo which other than an electric motor running can see no purpose to this switch there is also a wall mounted lever behind the driver seat which logic tells me is involved in the toilet but I cannot see how , there are also a pair of Volvo penta up down switches below the throttles that I have no idea what they do they are not the trim and tilt switches which are above the throttles and there is a press button beneath these which again does nothing and is not the horn , also when I trim the stern drives to a central position the very quickly drop back to the lowest position , is this a hydraulic issue ? Does something need bleeding or priming ? I see no evidence of a leak ! on a recent river trip the hot water system stated working and stayed hot for days but having left the boat for five days I cannot get hot water again i have added a couple of pics below of the confusing levers and switches if anyone has advice or experience of these systems Or this type of boat I will happily accept advice or pay for someone's time to show me what to do . The boat is moored at Upton upon Severn marina near Tewkesbury thanks for reading and allowing me access to this site Dave